Apparatus and system for decentralized electricity generation and power conditioning

ABSTRACT

An electric generator which can be coupled to an exercise machine is described. The electric generator is connected to a power grid. Using the mechanical movements of the exercise machine, the generator can produce and feed electricity into the grid, thereby creating a decentralized grid system which is immune to node failures. The generator can communicate with a smart device of a user. The generator can inform the user of the amount of electricity generated by the user while working out. The generator or an application of the smart device can communicate this data to a service provider. Using this data, the service provider can pay the user for the electricity generated. In particular, the service provider can utilize a cryptocurrency to reward the user for the human generated electricity.

BACKGROUND

Electric power for a geographical region or country is provided throughan electric power distribution network or grid. An electric powerdistribution network can have several power plants. Each one of thepower plants can have numerous power generators. The power generatorscan be fossil fuel generators, solar generators, wind generators, etc.Each one of these power plants can be a node in the electric powerdistribution network. In larger networks, while the designers strive tobuild a failure-proof network, occasionally node failures occur due topoor power quality. As a result, if the power distribution network isnot prepared for a failure event, there can be power outages throughoutthe network causing severe disruption to business and residences.

SUMMARY

There are several approaches for addressing potential power networkfailure issues. One approach is to minimize the network's dependence onany single node or power plant in the network, i.e., to diversify thesources of electric power production. In a diversified network, if anode failure occurs, the network is less likely to fail because thenetwork is not very dependent on any single node. An example of adiversified network can be a network in which houses have solar panelsand feed power back into the network.

Recent developments in electric power generation technology have made itpossible to add smaller scale power generation systems to an electricpower distribution network. For example, certain residential housesinclude solar panels which can generate electrical energy from sunlight.These household systems can supply electric energy for household needs,and in case the generated electricity exceeds the immediate need of thehousehold, the energy can be stored in a power storage unit, such as abattery, or can be optimized (“conditioned”) and then supplied to theelectric grid. Some electric companies purchase the excess generatedpower and pay the homeowners for the excess energy produced. There areseveral benefits to supplying electricity from residences to anelectrical grid. First, to the extent the task of providing electricenergy to the grid can be divided between more nodes (here betweenhouses and power plants), the system is more diversified. Hence, failureof one power plant would not necessarily lead to the failure of theentire network. In addition, diversified power networks provide betterpower quality. Therefore, there are benefits to establishing newdistributed power generation systems which can connect to an electricpower distribution network so that the network's dependence on anysingle power plant or node is reduced or eliminated.

An objective of this disclosure is to provide for a device, softwareapplication program and system which can facilitate networkdiversification by feeding high power quality human generatedelectricity into the grid. In an example embodiment, an electricgenerator is coupled to an exercise machine in a gym. The electricgenerator is connected to a power grid. Using the mechanical energygenerated through use of the exercise machine, the generator can produceand feed electricity into the grid, thereby creating a decentralizedgrid system which is immune to node failures. The generator cancommunicate with a smart device such as a phone or tablet of a user. Thegenerator can thereby inform the user of the amount of electricitygenerated by the user while the user is working out. The generator or anapplication of the smart device can communicate this data to a serviceprovider. Using this data, the service provider can remunerate the userfor the electricity generated. In particular, the service provider canutilize a cyber-currency to compensate the user for the human generatedelectricity.

There are several benefits to utilizing the device, software applicationprogram and system as described herein. If they are implemented in allexercise machine suitable for power generation in a typical commercialgym in a large city, the electricity consumption of the gym could be cutalmost in half, and upwards of 25 kWh of conditioned high qualityelectricity could be injected into the grid each day, thereby reducingthe risk of node failures. In addition, if the proper legal framework isimplemented, human generated electricity could qualify for certifiedemission reduction (or “carbon”) credits as well as federal, state andlocal production tax credits.

Human generated electricity can result in health benefits for society.These health benefits can include improved cardio-vascular fitness,better muscle-tone, weight loss, greater mental acuity, stressreduction, and a feeling of wellness and purpose. Utilizing the device,software application program and system as described herein, eachparticipating user can monitor the user's progress in real time. As aconsequence, the user sees in real time quantifiable and accumulatedbenefits from each workout. Additionally, because the user iscompensated by means of the cyber-currency for the user's workout, theuser is encouraged to workout even more, thereby further reducing therisk of node failures in the electric grid.

Human generated electricity can also bring about social benefits for theparticipants. These benefits can be direct benefits and web-derivedbenefits. The direct social benefits include participating in organizedclasses at a local fitness center (e.g., spinning classes) and theattendant social interactions that ensue. Web-based social benefitsinclude interacting with other users through social media platforms,cross-pollination with other social media platforms, and targetedadvertising.

Compensating human generated electricity using a cyber-currency can alsobe extremely advantageous for promoting a resilient electricity gridless prone to failures. The cyber-currency platform can become a tradingtool for companies and entities interested in promoting human generatedelectricity, e.g., for tax purposes, health benefits or social benefits.By being able to transact the cyber-currency using an independentfinancial instrument, these companies can indirectly purchase humangenerated electricity without having to get involved in the process ofgenerating the electricity. At the same time, the cyber-currency canalso quantify the extent of involvement of each company in this effort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exercise bike according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a treadmill according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a tracker according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a sign in page for a user interface of an exemplaryapplication of a smart device.

FIG. 5 shows a page for editing a user's profile on the applicationaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows an example user profile page displayed in the userinterface of the application.

FIG. 7 shows an example flow process for pairing a smart device with agenerator.

FIG. 8 shows a paired devices page in the user interface of theapplication according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a generator resistance adjustment page of the applicationaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows an example search and reserve feature of the applicationaccording to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a balance page displayed on the user interface of theapplication according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow process for rewarding a user for humangenerated electricity according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary hardware components of a server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exercise Machine

In an example embodiment, the exercise machine can be an exercise bike.FIG. 1 shows an exercise bike 100 according to an example embodiment.The exercise bike 100 can include a frame 101, a seat 102, a set ofpedals 103, a flywheel 104, a smart device 105 and a handlebar 108. Theset of pedals 103 can be connected to the flywheel 104 via a chain orother connection mechanism.

In some embodiments, the exercise bike 100 can include an electricitygenerator 106 (or generator). The generator 106 can be mechanicallycoupled or connected to flywheel 104. When a user of the exercise bike100 pedals the bike, the flywheel 104 rotates and this rotation can bemechanically transferred to the generator 106. For example, thegenerator 106 can be mechanically connected to the flywheel 104 using achain or belt. As another example, the generator can be placed under theflywheel 104 so that a rotational component of the generator 106 is incontact with the flywheel 104.

The smart device 105 can be paired with the generator 106 and can beplaced on the handlebar 108. The smart device 105 can be a smartphone, acell phone, a laptop, a desktop, a notebook, a tablet, a wearabledevice, etc. In one embodiment, the smart device 105 can be fixed to theexercise machine, e.g., exercise bike 100. In another embodiment, thesmart device 105 can be attachable to and detachable from the exercisemachine. Yet in another embodiment, the smart device 105 is a separatedevice which does not attach to the exercise machine.

The smart device can include an application which can display a userinterface through which a user can increase or decrease the load orresistance of the generator 106. Once paired, the smart device cantransmit a command to the generator 106 to increase or decrease the loador resistance of the generator 106. Because the generator 106 is incontact with or coupled to the flywheel 104, an increase in the load orresistance of the generator 106 can increase the load or resistance ofthe flywheel 104. As a result, by increasing the load of the generator106, the user can feel a heavier load when pedaling.

In some embodiments, the exercise bike 100 can include a friction gear107. The friction gear 107 can produce frictional damping of theflywheel. When the friction gear 107 is applied, the user can feel aload or resistance when pedaling. In one embodiment, the friction gear107 can be an electrical friction gear. In this embodiment, thefrictional gear 107 can be paired with the smart device 105, and usingthe smart device 105, the user can increase or decrease the frictionaldamping of the flywheel.

In an example embodiment, the exercise machine can be a treadmill. FIG.2 shows a treadmill 200 according to an example embodiment. Thetreadmill 200 can include a frame 201, a platform 202, a roller 203, atread 204, a smart device 105 and a handlebar 206. Similar to theexercise bike of FIG. 1, the treadmill 200 can include a generator whichis mechanically connected or coupled to the roller 203 or the tread 204.When a user runs on the treadmill 200, the tread 204 rotates around theplatform 202 and can cause the roller 203 to rotate. The rotation of theroller 203 can be mechanically transferred to the generator and thegenerator can generate electricity using this rotational movement. Thesmart device 105 can be paired with the generator such that theapplication of the smart device 105 can increase or decrease a load orresistance the generator imposes on the roller 203 and tread 204.Because the roller 203 is mechanically connected to the generator, anincrease in the load or resistance of the generator can increase theload or resistance that the user feels while running on the tread 204.

In an example embodiment, the fitness device or generator is configuredto detect data relating to the user's workout and communicate the datato the smart device. For example, the exercise bike 100 can measure adistance pedaled by the user while exercising and a number of caloriesburned by the user. This information can be determined based on therotation rate of the flywheel 104 or the generator 106. The exercisebike 100 or generator 106 can communicate this data to the smart device105. This communication can be wired or wireless. As another exampleembodiment, the treadmill 200 can measure a distance run by the userwhile running on the treadmill 200 and the treadmill 200 can communicatethis information to the smart device 105. This information can bedetermined based on a rotation rate of the roller 203. In someembodiments, the application of the smart device can also calculatevarious metrics relating to the user's workout based on datameasurements or detections communicated by the exercise machine or thegenerator. For example, if the exercise bike 100 communicates therotation rate of the flywheel 104, the application can determine adistance pedaled by the user.

In this disclosure, an exercise bike and a treadmill are described asexamples of a exercise machine. However, one of ordinary skill in theart recognizes that an exercise machine is not limited to exercise bikesand treadmills. Any exercise equipment or fitness equipment, includingthose that have a moving component, can be used as an exercise machineas described herein. Examples can include stair steppers, rowingmachines, cross country skiing machines, climbing machines, ellipticaltrainers, weight machines and exercise machine hand pumps.

Electric Generator

In an example embodiment, the exercise machine can be coupled orconnected to an electricity generator which can convert the mechanicalenergy generated by the exercise machine into electric power.

The electric generator can be an induction generator, which can generateelectricity if its rotor is rotating faster than a synchronous speed ofthe generator. An AC asynchronous motor usually can be used as agenerator, without any internal modifications. In generator operation, aprime mover such as a moving component of an exercise machine (e.g.,flywheel 104 or roller 203) drives the rotor of the generator above thesynchronous speed so that there is negative slip. The stator flux stillinduces currents in the rotor, but since the opposing rotor flux is nowcutting the stator coils, an active current is produced in stator coilsand the motor now operates as a generator, sending power back to theelectrical grid.

The electricity generator can be a liner electric generator, which canhave a sliding magnet that moves back and forth through a solenoid(e.g., a spool of copper wire). An alternating current is induced in theloops of wire by Faraday's law of induction each time the magnet slidesthrough.

The generator, as described herein, can be connected to an electricpower distribution network and supply the network with electric power.This connection can be made, for example, through a power managementsystem. The power management system can include an inverter or otherequipment such as a processor. In some embodiments, the generator caninclude the inverter and the generator can directly connect to anelectric power distribution network. The inverter can monitor the powerquality of the distribution voltage where the generator is connected.The inverter can alter the AC sine wave from the generator to match thegrid. The inverter conditions the electricity to reduce risks of nodefailures.

In an example embodiment, the generator and/or inverter can include atransceiver for communication with a smart device. The transceiver canreceive various commands or data from the smart device. The transceivercan also transmit various commands or data to the smart device. Forexample, the transceiver can receive a command to increase theresistance or load of the generator. Sending a signal to the generator,the inverter “allows” the generator to increase the amount ofelectricity produced by reducing the resistance on the electricalcircuit and thereby increasing the amperage that is injected by thegenerator into the electrical grid. The transceiver can also receive anidentification number of the user or smart device, e.g., when the smartdevice is being paired with the generator. The transceiver is alsoconfigured to transmit various informational messages or signals to thesmart device. For example, the transceiver can transmit a message to thesmart device indicating the rotational speed of the generator, datarelating to the electricity generated by the generator such as currentrate of electricity generation, etc. the transceiver can also transmitan identification number of the generator to the smart device.

Power Storage Unit

In an example embodiment, the generator can be connected to a powerstorage unit or an off-grid system. The power storage unit can be abattery. The generator can deliver power to the battery and the batterycan store the power. The battery or the storage unit can be electricallyconnected to a household and can supply power to the household. Forexample, the energy stored in the battery can be used to powerlightbulbs, refrigerators and other small appliances.

In some embodiments, the generator can be connected to a powermanagement system, which can decide where to supply the power generatedby the generator. For example, the power management system can determineto supply the power to a battery, when the battery is low in charge. Thepower management system can also decide to supply the power to thehousehold. In some embodiments, the power management system can alsodecide to supply the power back to a grid (if there is one nearby).

In the embodiments that the generator supplies the power to a battery,the user can still be compensated for the user's workout. For example,the application of the smart device can determine the amount ofelectricity generated by the user and compensate the user for thegenerated electricity.

Tracker

In an example embodiment, the smart device can be paired with a trackerwhich can be a fitness tracker, an activity tracker, a wearable deviceor a health monitoring device. The tracker can monitor a user's healthand collect data relating to, e.g., the user's vital signs or workoutroutine. For example, a tracker can collect data on a user's bodytemperature, blood pressure, heart rate, or breathing rate. Anotherexemplary tracker can collect other types of data. For example, atracker can detect, measure or monitor the number of calories burned,blood oxygenation, the time spent exercising, distance swam, number ofhours slept, etc. The tracker can be a single device such as a watch orcan be implemented in multiple devices, e.g., a watch and a chest-strapheart rate monitor.

In some embodiments, the tracker can be paired with a smart device. Oncepaired with the smart device, the tracker can communicate its detecteddata with an application of the smart device. The application can beconfigured to display the data in a user interface of the smart device.In some embodiments, the application can be configured to communicatethe detected data to a server. The server can aggregate the datacollected from all users of trackers and further analyze the data. Theserver can discover patterns in the aggregated data, and based on thepatterns, make predictions about or suggestions to a specific user. Forexample, the tracker can collect data about a specific user's sleepinghabits and transmit it to the application. The application can send thisdata to the server and the server can compare the data to thosecollected from other users. Based on this comparison, the server mightsuggest to the user that the user sleeps less than other users of thetracking device.

In another embodiment, the application can receive data relating to auser's dietary habits. The application can also receive data from thetracker relating to the user's workout. Using the dietary data andtracker data, the application can analyze the user's workout, e.g.,detecting patterns of increased endurance or performance based on thedifferent dietary inputs. This analysis can optimize the user'sperformance.

FIG. 3 shows a tracker 300 according to an example embodiment. Thetracker 300 can include a wristband 301, a housing 302, a display 303and an input button 304. The display 303 can be an OLED, AMOLED, e-Ink,color paper ink, or other display screens known to persons of ordinaryskill in the art. The display screen can be a touchscreen device, whichcan enable the tracker to receive touch commands from the user. A touchcommand can include performing one of the following actions on thescreen of the tracker: tapping, double tapping, swiping, long pressing,long-press and dragging, double-tap dragging, pinching open, pinchingclosed, two fingers touching, two finger swiping, two fingerlong-pressing, two finger long-press swiping, two finger double tapping,and two fingers rotating. The housing 302 can include processingcircuitry such as a processor and a memory.

The housing 302 can also include a sensor and a transceiver. Using thesensor, the tracker 300 can detect data relating to the user's vitalsigns or workout, e.g., heart rate or distance ran over the course ofthe workout. Using the transceiver, the tracker 300 can be paired andcommunicate with a smart device. The display 303 is configured todisplay some or all of the detected data to the user. For example, thedisplay 303 can display the user's heart rate, distance ran and caloriesburned. The display 303 can also display other information to the user,e.g., time and temperature. The processing circuitry of the tracker 300can command the transceiver to communicate the detected data to anapplication of a smart device.

In some embodiments, the tracker 300 is configured to be paired with acellphone and the tracker 300 can function in connection with thecellphone. For example, the tracker 300 can receive phone calls and makephone calls through the cellphone. In these embodiments, the tracker 300can include a microphone and a speaker. In other embodiments, thetracker 300 can display the user interface of the smart device which ispaired with the tracker.

The input button 304 can be configured to provide input to theprocessing circuitry, e.g., the input button 304 can change the contentdisplayed on the display 303 by selecting options displayed on thedisplay 303. The input button 304 can also facilitate pairing of thetracker 300 with a smart device. For example, if the user holds theinput button 304 for a predetermined period of time, the device canswitch to discoverability mode (for pairing).

Application

In an example embodiment, a smart device is provided with an applicationwhich can be paired with a generator, an exercise machine and a tracker.The user can visit a service provider's website and download thisapplication on the smart device of the user. The application cancommunicate with the generator, an exercise machine and a tracker, andsend commands (or data) or receive data (or commands) from thesedevices. The application can include a user interface. The userinterface of the application can display data received from thegenerator, exercise machine and tracker, e.g., the application candisplay data received from the tracker indicating how many calories theuser has burned. The application can also command the generator,exercise machine and tracker, e.g., the application can command thegenerator to increase the load of the generator or exercise machine. Theuser interface of the application can display how much electricity hasbeen generated by the user, and it can assign a monetary (orcyber-currency) value to the generated electricity. For example, theapplication can assign a cyber-currency denominated value to thegenerated electricity. This information can be determined based on theapplication's communication with the generator, a server of the serviceprovider or a third-party device.

The user interface of the application can receive commands from adisplay of the smart device. The display of the smart device can be atouchscreen display device.

Account Sign-Up

In some embodiments, no account is needed for a user of the smart deviceto access the application. However, in an example embodiment, anapplication account is required for user of the smart device to accessthe application. The user can sign up for the application account usingthe application or the user can visit the service provider's website tosign up. The application or website can ask for the user's informationsuch as the user's name, email address, username, password, etc. Uponreceiving this information at a server of the service provider, theservice provider can decide whether to open up the account for the user.This decision can be based on, e.g., whether the user's username existsin the system or whether the password meets the minimum requirementsindicated on the service provider's website. In this embodiment, theuser's information can be stored on the server of the service provider.However, in other embodiments, the user's information can be stored onthe user's smart device. Once the sign-up process is complete, the usercan log into the application.

FIG. 4 shows a sign in page for a user interface 401 of an exemplaryapplication of a smart device 400. In this example embodiment, the smartdevice 400 includes an application which displays the user interface401. The user interface 401 can display several pages, including a signin page 402. On the sign in page 402, there can be several buttons,including a “sign in using an existing account” button 403, a “thirdparty social media account sign in” button 404 and a “sign up for anaccount” button 405. Using the “sign in using an existing account”button 403, the user can sign into the application using the accountthat the user created with the service provider. Using the “sign up foran account” button 405, the user can sign up for an account, asdescribed above. For example, by pressing this button, the user can bedirected to a new page and the application can ask the user to enterinformation such as a username, password, etc.

Using the “third party social media account sign in” button 404, theuser can sign into the application using a social media accountbelonging to a third party, e.g., a social media platform. For thisoption, the user's sign in credentials can be the same as the user'ssign in credentials for the social media platform. In this case, theapplication can require the user to sign up for an account using thesocial media account before the application allows the user to accessthe application using the social media account credentials. The processof signing up for an account using the social media account can includeredirecting the user to the social media platform, asking the user tosign into the user's social media account and selecting an option on thesocial media platform to indicate that the application is permitted toaccess the user's account or information.

User Profile

In an example embodiment, a user of the application can create a userprofile, which can be associated with the application account. The userprofile can be stored on the service provider's server or it can bestored on the smart device. The user profile can be created when theuser signs up for the application account or after the user signs up.The user profile can include various information about the user. Forexample, a user profile can include a date of birth, an address,biometric information, information about the user's physique, a photo ofthe user, etc. In some embodiments, the user can upload information intothe profile, e.g., machine generated information can be uploaded intothe profile. For example, the user can upload fitness data gathered by atracker into the user profile.

The information included in the user profile is not limited toinformation provided by the user. In an example embodiment, the serviceprovider can also add information to the user profile. This informationcan be an interaction history of a user with the service provider, ananalysis of the user's behavioral characteristics, a regression analysisand other analysis pertaining to the user's traits and habits. Forexample, a service provider can add information relating to a user'sworkout habit to a user's profile, e.g., how often the user exercises,frequently visited gyms, frequently used equipment, etc. As anotherexample, the machine generated information about the user and thebiographical information manually entered by the user can assist theserver of the service provider in creating a health profile for theuser. The health profile of the user can be stored in the user'sprofile. The health profile of the user can be used by the application,server of the service provider or social media platform to makepredictions about the user or make suggestions to the user. For example,based on the user's health profile, the application, server of theservice provider or social media platform can suggest the optimal numberof weekly workouts per week that a user should complete. Thisdetermination can be based on the user's age group, physical fitness(e.g., weight, height and other information manually input into theapplication by the user), and other factors.

FIG. 5 shows a page 501 for editing a user's profile on the applicationaccording to an example embodiment. In the profile edit page 501, a usercan enter the user's biographical information 502, e.g., name, hometown,alma mater, relationship status, biometric and soft-biometricinformation 503, e.g., height, weight, and gender. The user can also adda photo 504 to the profile. This photo, e.g., can be captured by acamera of the smart device, or it can be uploaded from the smart deviceor imported from the Internet, e.g., if social media is linked. The usercan also upload data from a tracker by pressing the button 505. Forexample, the user can upload heart rate data from the tracker 300. Heartrate data can also be input manually into the application by the userand can include resting heart rate, maximum heart rate and heart ratezones. The application can use the information provided on the user'sprofile to make recommendations to the user or calculate required loadon a generator.

Social Media Aspects of the Application

In an example embodiment, the user's application account or profile canbe associated with a social media platform. The application can displayand facilitate the user's interactions with the social media platform.For example, the application can display user profile pages, groupprofile pages, user posts and replies (or comments). As another example,the application can give the user the ability to draft a post and postit on the social media platform. As yet another example, the applicationcan display the social media platform's news feed page. The social mediaplatform can be a platform controlled by the service provider or it canbe a platform controlled by a third party. In case the service providercontrols the social media platform, the user can sign into the socialmedia platform using the user's account credentials, e.g., the usernameand password associated with the application account. However, the usercan have different credentials for the social media platform. Forexample, when the social media platform is operated by a third party,the user can sign into the social media platform using a username andpassword registered with the third party.

For each user, the social media platform can display a profile pagewhich can include various information about the user. The social mediaplatform can obtain this information from the user's application accountor profile. In some embodiments, the user can provide the information tothe social media platform independent of the user's application accountor profile. The social media platform on the profile page can displaythe user's name, birthdate, location, photo, relationship status, etc.The user's profile page on the social media platform can also displaythe user's posts, replies to posts, activity log, favorite gymlocations, groups joined, events attending and attended, friends,followers, following, electricity generated to date and similarstatistics, workout statistics (e.g. total workouts, total time,averages, personal bests, etc.). The profile page can also show theamount and value of cyber-currency accumulated by the user.

FIG. 6 shows an example user profile page 601 displayed in the userinterface 401 of the application. In this example embodiment, the userprofile page 601 can display the user's photo 602 and the user's nameand title 603. This information can be obtained from the user's profile,which can be stored on the user's application or at a server of theservice provider. The user profile page can also display the user'smemberships 604 (i.e., the groups that the user has joined or isfollowing) and friends 605. The user profile page 601 can also displaythe user's and other users' posts 606 on the user profile page 601.

The social media platform can be configured to establish links betweenvarious user profiles. For example, these links can be friendship links,follower links, alma mater links, location links, gender links, ethnicand other links (e.g., dating links), etc. These links can beestablished when a user of a profile requests the platform to establisha link between the user and another user or group of the social mediaplatform. In an example embodiment, a first user can request a link withthe profile of a second user. In some embodiments, the link can beestablished without any further action on the part of the second user,in which case, a follower link can be established between the first userand the second user such that the first user can follow the second user.In other words, the first user can follow the second user without thesecond user's confirmation, however the user will only be able to seethe followed user's information that the followed user has made publicor shared. In some embodiments, once the first user requestsestablishing a link with the second user, the second user has to approvethe link request. For example, the second user has to confirm the firstuser as a friend before a friendship link can be established between thefirst user and second user. Once the second user approves the linkrequest, the first user and the second user can become friends.

In an example embodiment, the social media platform can include variousgroups. A group can be an association between several user profiles whohave joined the group. A group can also have a profile page, news andsocial feeds and privacy settings. Each group can include anadministrator who can decide whether a user can join the group and whatcontent can be displayed on the group's profile page. However, in someembodiments, joining a group does not require permission from theadministrator. In these embodiments, the group members can decide thecontent displayed on the group's profile page. Sometimes the groupmembers can also decide who joins the group. In an example embodiment, auser can join a group associated with a geographical location, a gym,and/or the fans of a particular workout.

In some embodiments, a user can follow a group. Depending on the group'sprivacy settings, following a group can provide fewer privileges to theuser. For example, if a user joins a group after the administratorapproves the user, the user can post content on the group's profilepage. However, the administrator can set the privacy settings of thegroup such that only users who have joined the group can post on thegroup's profile page and the users who are following the group can onlyaccess the profile page.

In an example embodiment, a user can join a group associated with a gym.The gym director can be the administrator of the group. Theadministrator can communicate class schedules and hours of operation tothe members of the group, e.g., by posting the schedules on the gym'sprofile page. In some embodiments, the administrator can alsocommunicate to the members upcoming events at the gym, e.g., by directlymessaging the group members. The group profile page can also provide themembers with the ability to sign up for classes or upcoming events. Forexample, there can be a button next to each class or event on thegroup's profile page, and by pressing the button, the user can sign upfor the class or event. The user can also mark a class as interested inattending or attending and post this information to their social mediaprofile. The group profile page can also display the number ofgenerators and exercise machine that are available at the gym for agiven period of time. In some embodiments, the user can reserve agenerator at the gym for a specific period of time. For example, if auser reserves a specific generator for a period of time, the generatorcan be locked to the user for that period of time so that no one elsewould be able to pair his or her smart device with the generator duringthat period of time. In these embodiments, the user can reserve thegenerator on the application or the social media profile page associatedwith the gym.

In some embodiments, a user can define various privacy settings for theuser's profile page (or an administrator can define privacy settings fora group profile page). Using the privacy settings, the user can definewhether the user's profile page is accessible to other users. Morespecifically, the privacy settings can define who can access the user'sprofile page and what can be displayed when the user's profile page isaccessed by another user. In an example embodiment, the user can specifywhether the user's friends, friends of friends, followers or other userscan access the user's profile. For example, the user can specify thatthe user's profile page is accessible only to the user's friends.Therefore, the user's profile page is not accessible to any user who hasnot established a friendship link with the user. In another exampleembodiment, the user can specify which parts of the user's profile pagecan be visible to the users who have access to the user's profile page.For example, the user can specify whether all, some or none of theprofile page of the user can be visible to another user.

In an example embodiment, a first user can visit the profile associatedwith a second user only if the second user's profile is accessible tothe first user. Whether or not a second user's profile page isaccessible to the first user depends on the privacy settings of thesecond user with respect to the first user. For example, a second usercan designate the second user's profile page as public so that everyvisitor can access the content of the profile page. As another example,the second user can designate the user's profile page as semi-public.This indicates that depending on the status of the visitor, the visitormight not be able to access all of the content of the second user'sprofile page. As yet another example, the second user can designate theuser's profile as private, in which case, only the visitors or groups ofvisitors who have been granted access privileges would be able to seethe content of the second user's profile page.

In an example embodiment, the first user can draft a post and have thepost displayed in a profile page on the social media platform. Forexample, the post can be a write-up discussing benefits of exercising.The post can include a photo, sound recording, a video, a media file,etc. The user can have the post displayed in the user's profile page orelsewhere, e.g., a page dedicated to an exercise group or even anotheruser's profile page. A second user or the first user can draft a comment(or reply) in response to the first user's post and have the commentdisplayed in association with the first user's post. For example, thesecond user can draft a comment in response to the first user'swrite-up. The first or second user can also show their support for apost, comment or reply, and convey that they like it by clicking abutton associated with each individual post, comment or reply. In someembodiments, the second user's ability to view and/or comment on thefirst user's post depends on the first user's privacy settings. Forexample, when drafting the post, the first user can specify which userscan view the user's post, e.g., limiting the user's post to the user'sfriends or members of an exercise group.

In an example embodiment, the application of the user's smart device canpost content onto the user's profile page or elsewhere. For example, theapplication can gather data relating to the user's workout and post thisinformation on the profile page of the user. FIG. 6 shows an applicationgenerated post 607 on the user profile page 601. The applicationgenerated post 607 can include the number of calories the user burnedout during the user's workout and the name of the gym at which the userworked. It can also include a monetary indicator representing how muchthe user was paid for the workout. For example, the applicationgenerated post 607 indicates that the user was paid by a cyber-currencynamed PYW (Power Your World) and that the user received 10 tokens of thePYW cryptocurrency.

In an example embodiment, the social media platform can include a newsfeed page, and the application is configured to display the news feedpage. The news feed page can be an aggregation of social media posts andcomments that have been posted by various users. For example, a newsfeed page can display the social media posts that have been generatedover a period of time, e.g., 1 day, by the users or a subset of theusers of the social media platform. The users or the subset of the usersof the social media platform can be linked to the first user. In someembodiments, the news feed page is configured to display the posts ofusers who are not necessarily linked or related to the first user. Forexample, the news feed page can display posts and comments based on theuser's profile information. Specifically, if the user's profile orhealth profile indicates a certain characteristic for the user, e.g.,the user is interested in yoga and participates in yoga classes, thenews feed page can display content related to this characteristic, e.g.,posts from yoga instructors, or posts related to yoga groups.

In an example embodiment, the news feed page can display to the userposts by other users who are similar to the user in some respect, e.g.,have similar profile information. The posts can include applicationgenerated posts displaying workout information for the other users. Forexample, for a user who is interested in running, the news feed page ofthe user can display workout data of other users who are interested inrunning. The data can include the number of calories burned, the name ofthe gym at which they worked out and the monetary value they receivedfor their workout. Displaying workout data from users with similarprofiles can encourage users to exercise more frequently.

Social Media Posts Relating to a User's Workout

In an example embodiment, the application can receive various datarelating to a user's workout and post the data or a summary extrapolatedfrom the data on the profile page of the user on the social mediaplatform. The posting of the data can take place at the conclusion of auser's workout. For example, the user can participate in a spinningclass. During the spinning class, the application of the user's smartdevice can adjust the resistance of the exercise bike based on apredetermined workout plan. The application can receive data relating tohow much electricity was produced by the generator of the exercise bike,e.g., 12 kWh of electricity. The application can also receive data froma tracker indicating that the user has burned 1000 calories during theworkout. Upon conclusion of the spinning class, the application can postthis information on the user's profile page or on the gym's profilepage. For example, the post can include the number of calories burnedand the amount of electricity generated. The post can also indicate howmuch the user was paid for the electricity produced. This payment can bea value denominated by a cryptocurrency. Based on the privacy settingsof the user, the post can be accessible to only a few users of thesocial media platform. However, in some embodiments, the post can bepublically accessible. The post can also be shared with and posted to anunaffiliated third-party social media platform or application that theuser uses if the user has registered, signed into, or linked theapplication to their unaffiliated, third-party social media accounts.

There are several techniques for the application of the smart device todetermine that the user's workout has started or concluded. In a firstexemplary embodiment, the application can include the class schedule forthe gym. Therefore, using the class schedule, the application candetermine when the workout has started and when the workout hasconcluded. In this embodiment, the user can sign up for the class usingthe application or the social media platform, and thus, the applicationreceives data as to which classes the user intends to attend. Forexample, the user can indicate on the user's social media account thatthe user is attending a class and the social media platform can notifythe application of the timing and location of the class. Hence, theapplication can determine when the class is started and when the classis over, and thus, determine when the user's workout has started andwhen it has concluded.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the application can determine the GPScoordinates of the user and based on these GPS coordinates theapplication can determine when the workout started and when the workoutfinished. For example, the application can determine that the workouthas started when the user arrives at a location associated with a gym,and the application can determine that the user's workout has concludedwhen the user leaves the location. In some embodiments, the applicationcan use the SSID of a Wi-Fi network for determining that the user is ata gym.

In a third exemplary embodiment, the application can determine that theuser's workout has started or finished based on information receivedfrom devices paired with the application. For example, if the userconnects a generator to the application and the user's tracker detects ahigher than normal heart rate, the application can determine that theuser's workout has started. As another example, if the user disconnectsa generator from the application and the user's tracker detects a normalheart rate, the application can determine that the user's workout hasconcluded.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the application can determine that theuser's workout has started or concluded based on information provided bythe user. For example, the application can have a page on which the usercan indicate that the user's workout has started or concluded. On thispage, the user can also indicate whether the user intends to share theuser's workout data. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the applicationcan determine that the user's workout has concluded based on acombination of the techniques discussed in the previous four exemplaryembodiments. For example, the application can determine that the workouthas concluded based on the user's GPS coordinates and based on adetection that the generator is disconnected from the application.

Paring the Smart Device and Other Devices

In an example embodiment, the user interface of the application caninclude a page for pairing the smart device with a generator, tracker orother device. Pairing the smart device with another device, e.g.,generator, establishes an initial bonding between the smart device andthe generator so that communication is allowed and facilitated betweenthe two devices. In an example embodiment, the smart device can useBluetooth wireless technology standard or Wi-Fi technology standard forexchanging data and communication between the smart device and thegenerator. Use of other wireless technology standards such as InductionWireless, Infrared Wireless, Ultra Wideband, ZigBee, or a combinationthereof are also conceivable.

In one embodiment, the smart device and the other device (e.g.,generator or tracker) can be paired through a network such as theInternet. For example, the smart device can connect to the Internetthrough a cellular connection or via a router or hub. The generator canalso connect to the Internet directly or through a router or hub. Thegenerator can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless technology standard forexchanging data and communication between the generator and the routeror hub. The hub can have a Wi-Fi connection to a router or a cellularconnection to the Internet. The generator can also have a wiredconnection to the hub or router. In this embodiment, the smart devicecan exchange data and communicate with the generator using the Internet.

In an example embodiment, during pairing, a link key is used, which canbe a shared secret known between the smart device and the generator (ortracker). If both devices store the same link key, they are said to bepaired or bonded. In some embodiments, it is possible to limit thecommunication of the generator (or tracker) only to a smart device thatwas previously paired with the generator (or tracker). Such limitationcan be implemented by cryptographical authentication of the identity ofthe smart device by the generator to ensure that the smart device is thesmart device that was previously paired with the generator. Protectionagainst eavesdropping is also possible by encrypting the exchanged databetween the smart device and the generator. Users can delete link keysfrom either device, which removes the bond between the devices. It ispossible for one device to have a stored link key for a device withwhich it is no longer paired.

FIG. 7 shows an example flow process for pairing a smart device with agenerator. In this example embodiment, pairing can start by a userinitiation of a discoverability mode in the generator in step 701. Inthe discoverability mode, the smart device can detect the generator andlet the user know the identity of the generator, for example, bydisplaying the identification number of the generator on the display ofthe smart device. The discoverability mode, for example, can beinitiated by pressing the input button 304 in FIG. 3 for a few seconds.In step 702, the user can request the smart device to detect the devicesaround the smart device. For example, the user can make the detectionrequest by choosing an “Add a Bluetooth Generator” or “Add a Wi-FiGenerator” on the smart device. Subsequently, the smart device seeksgenerators (and other devices) close to the smart device and at step703, the smart device displays the identity of any generator (and otherdevices) discovered by the smart device. At step 704, the user canselect the generator that the user intends to pair with the smartdevice. At step 705, the smart device can form a bond between the smartdevice and the generator, and the smart device and the generator will beable to communicate thereafter. Over the subsequent interactions, thesmart device and the generator can connect to each other by reverting tothe bond that has already been established. The user can sever the bond(i.e., deleting the link key) at any time, thereby terminating thecommunication link between the smart device and the generator. Forexample, the user can select a “Delete the Generator” option in the userinterface of the smart device to sever the bond between the two devices.In some embodiments, an optional step can be provided after step 404. Inthis optional step, the user can be prompted to enter a password orlogin credentials on the generator to validate the pairing.

In an example embodiment, the user interface of the application caninclude a page which displays all the generators, trackers and exercisemachines currently or historically paired with the application of thesmart device. FIG. 8 shows a paired devices page 801 in the userinterface 401 of the application according to an example embodiment. Inthis example embodiment, the paired devices page 801 can display paireddevices 802, which can include a generator Gen-101, a tracker Tra-5 andfitness equipment Fit-201. The paired devices page 801 can also includea disconnect a device button 803. Using this button, the user candisconnect any of the paired devices. The paired devices page 801 canalso include an add a new device button 804. Using this button, the usercan have the smart device 400 search for devices around the user so thatthe user can pair them with the smart device 400, as described above.

Resistance Adjustment

In an example embodiment, the user interface of the application candisplay a graphic icon for adjusting a resistance of an exercise machineor a generator. For example, the exercise machine can be an exercisebike, and the application can display a knob, a scroll bar or a fieldwhich can adjust the resistance of a generator paired with the smartdevice. In this example embodiment, the user can adjust the resistanceby, e.g., rotating the knob, moving the thumb of the scroll bar ortyping a number in the field on the user interface of the application.By taking any of these actions, or similar actions, the application cantransmit a signal or message to the generator coupled to the exercisebike. In response to receiving this communication, the generator canincrease its resistance or load. Because the generator is mechanicallycoupled to the exercise bike, the increase in the resistance of thegenerator can increase the load imposed on the flywheel of the exercisebike, and thus, the user can feel a heavier load when pressing thepedals of the exercise bike.

In some embodiments, the user interface can include an option foradjusting the resistance or other mechanical aspects of the exercisemachine or generator according to a predetermined workout. For example,the user interface can include a page or a link to a page includingseveral predetermined workouts. Once on the predetermined workout page,the user can select at least one of the workouts. The user can alsocreate a customized workout for the user. Once the user selects aworkout, the application determines a routine to be communicated to thegenerator. The routine can include generator loads to be imposed orexercise machine adjustments to be made during a period of time. Forexample, the application based on a predetermined workout routinedetermines that the workout includes a progressively increasing pedalload with the increases being implemented at 2-minute intervals (for atotal of 10 minutes). As such, in one embodiment, at the end of every2-minute interval, the application communicates a load increase messageto the generator, and the generator implements the communicated load. Inanother embodiment, the application can communicate the entire workoutroutine to the generator, and the generator determines the load toimpose (e.g., on a flywheel) during the workout based on the transmittedroutine. In an example embodiment, the application can adjust theresistance of the generator or the exercise machine to target a specificbiometric reading, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, etc.For example, a user can ask the application to target a heart rate of160 bpm. Based on the user's profile (or health profile) which includesinformation about the user's physique (e.g., weight, gender, height,etc.), the application can determine that a heart rate of 160 bpm wouldrequire a specific load of the generator for a particular period oftime. The application can transmit the load requirement to thegenerator.

FIG. 9 shows a load adjustment page 901 of the application according toan example embodiment. In this example embodiment, the user interface401 can display the load adjustment page 901, which can include anadjustment section 910, a predetermined workout section 920 and abiometric targeting section 930.

The adjustment section 910 can include a knob 911, a load indicator 912and a biometric indicator 913. By rotating the knob 911, the user caninstruct the application to transmit a signal to the generator so thatthe load of the generator is adjusted. For example, the user can rotatethe knob 911 clockwise to increase the load from 1 to 2. The loadindicator 912 can display the current load of the generator. This loadvalue can indicate the relative resistance that the user feels whenexercising on the exercise machine. The application can determine thecurrent load, e.g., by receiving a reading from the generator thatindicates the load. As another example, the application can determinethe current load by determining an initial load of the generator (e.g.,zero) and any subsequent load adjustments that were communicated to thegenerator. In addition to knob 911, the user interface 401 can displayother knobs. For example, the user interface can display a knob for anexercise machine paired with the application, e.g., the user interface401 can display a knob for adjusting the slope of the platform 202 ofthe treadmill 200. The biometric indicator 913 can receive a signal froma tracker paired with the application and display the data included inthe signal. For example, the biometric indicator 913 can display theinstantaneous heart rate of the user detected by the tracker 300.

The predetermined workout section 920 can include several buttons forinstructing the generator or exercise machine to emulate a specificworkout routine, e.g., by adjusting the load of the generator orchanging a setting of a component of the exercise machine for aparticular time interval. As another example, the specific workoutroutine can include adjusting the load of the generator or changing asetting of a component of the exercise machine until a specific readingby a tracker is achieved. As yet another example, the specific workoutroutine can include adjusting the load of the generator or changing asetting of a component of the exercise machine to maintain a specificreading by the tracker for a time interval.

For example, the hill exercise button 921 can instruct the treadmill 200to increase the slope of the platform 202 for 5 minutes and thendecrease the load of the generator from 10 to 5 for 5 minutes. Asanother example, the cardio exercise button 922 can increase the load ofthe generator of the exercise bike 100 until the tracker 300 detects aheart rate of 150 bpm for the user. The application is configured tomaintain this load of the generator for 10 minutes.

The biometric targeting section 930 enables the user to enter abiometric reading that the user desires to achieve. Subsequently, theapplication can instruct the generator to increase or decrease the loaduntil the specified biometric reading is achieved. This section caninclude a target biometric 931 and a field 932. For example, the targetbiometric 931 can be a target heart rate and in the field 932 the usercan enter a heart rate that the user desires to achieve, e.g., 150 bpm.

There are several ways for the application to adjust the generator loadto achieve the targeted biometric reading. In one embodiment, theapplication can make a prediction about the target load of the generatorbased on the biometric information in the user's profile (or healthprofile). For example, based on the user's age, gender, weight andheight the application can determine that a load of 5/10 is needed toachieve a target heart rate of 150 bpm.

In another embodiment, the server of the service provider can estimatethe load needed to achieve a certain biometric reading. Here, for everyuser, the application can transmit certain information stored in theuser's profile, the user's biometric reading from a tracker and theimplemented load of the generator to a server of the service provider.For example, the application can continuously transmit the heart rate ofthe user, the user's weight and the load on the generator to the server.The server of the service provider can aggregate this information forall the users, and based on the aggregated information, make a modelwhich can predict the load needed for a specific user to achieve adesired biometric reading. For example, the application can transmit auser's age, weight, gender and a desired biometric reading to theserver, and in response the server can transmit an estimated load of thegenerator which would achieve the desired biometric reading for theuser.

In yet another embodiment, the application can slowly increase ordecrease the load of the generator until the desired biometric readingis achieved. For example, the application can increase the load of thegenerator every 30 seconds and monitor the user's heart rate. Once thedesired heart rate is achieved, the application can stop adjusting theload of the generator.

The above described embodiments for achieving a desired biometricreading for a user are only exemplary. One of ordinary skill in the artrecognizes that these embodiments can be combined to create othertechniques for achieving a desired biometric reading for the user.

Location Based Determinations

In an example embodiment, the application can determine a currentlocation of the smart device, and based on the current location, theapplication can suggest various options to the user. For example, theapplication can have an option for finding a gym close to where thesmart device is located. If this option is activated, the applicationcan ask the smart device to determine the current location of the smartdevice. Once the current location of the smart device is determined(e.g., GPS coordinates of the smart device), the application can look upa list of gyms located close to the current location of the smart device(or located within a defined distance of the current location of thesmart device).

In some embodiments, the smart device stores the names and locations ofcertain gyms and the list of gyms close to the user can be determined bysearching the storage device of the smart device. In other embodiments,the locations of the gyms are stored in a database of a server and theserver can transmit this information to the smart device (e.g., upon arequest by the smart device). Then, the smart device can search for thegyms that are within a close distance of the current location of thesmart device. Yet in some other example embodiments, the smart devicecan transmit the current location of the smart device to the server, andin response, the server can transmit the names and locations of severalgyms close to the smart device. The smart device is configured todisplay the list of gyms on the user interface of the smart device.

In an example embodiment, the user can ask the smart device to displaygyms which include a particular device or service. For example, the usercan ask the application to limit the list to the gyms which includespinning classes or treadmills. In another example embodiment, the usercan ask the application to display only the gyms which include electricgenerators. These electric generators can be compatible with theapplication, and the user can pair the user's smart device with some orall of the electric generators provided in these locations. Yet inanother example embodiment, the user can ask the application to displaya list of gyms that are located within a defined distance of the smartdevice's current location and include a particular device or service.For example, the user can ask the smart device to show a list of gymsthat include generators and are located within 5 miles of the currentlocation of the smart device.

In an example embodiment, the application can include a reserve agenerator page or feature. On the reserve a generator page, the user canlocate a gym by, e.g., entering a zip code, name of the location, etc.Once a gym is located, the application can display how many generatorsare available for a specified period of time. The application can alsodisplay each generator that can be booked for the specified period oftime, e.g., a list of the available generators and their respectiveidentification numbers and model numbers. The application can alsodisplay a floorplan of the gym and show where each generator is located.The application can also display an identification number for eachgenerator on the floorplan. The user interface of the application canallow the user to select a specific generator, e.g., by tapping on thegenerator on the floorplan of the gym, or by pressing a button next tothe generator on the list of available generators. Once a generator isselected, the application can contact the gym and reserve the generatorfor the specified period of time.

FIG. 10 shows an example search and reserve feature of the applicationaccording to an example embodiment. In this embodiment, the userinterface 401 of the application can display a search and reserve page1001. In this example page, the user can specify at least one searchcriteria 1002 for finding a gym. For example, the user can specify thatthe user is looking for a gym within 5 miles of the current location ofthe smart device 400. The user can also limit the search results to gymsthat include generators and that the generators are available at 5 pm.In response, the application can display the search results that fit thesearch criteria. For example, the application can display the searchresults 1004 and 1005. The application can display the names of thesegyms, their respective distance to the current location of the smartdevice 400 and the number of generators each gym has available at thespecified time. For example, Joe's gym has 15 generators available at 5pm and Jane's gym has 23 generators available. The application can alsodisplay one or more buttons in association with each search result. Forexample, for the search result 1004, the application can display thebutton 1011 for reserving a generator at Joe's gym and the button 1012for signing up for a class at the gym. The application can also displaya map 1003 to show the search results on it. In some embodiments, theuser can choose one of the search results by tapping on the map 1003.

Compensation and Cyber-Currency Features

In an example embodiment, a service provider can pay a user who produceselectricity using a generator attached to an exercise machine. Forexample, a bank account of the user can be disclosed in the user'sapplication account or profile. The service provider can deposit moneyinto the bank account to pay the user for any electricity generatedduring a workout. In some embodiments, the service provider can issue acyber-currency for payment to a user who produces electricity using agenerator attached to an exercise machine. For example, an electronicwallet (or an address thereof) of the user can be disclosed in theuser's application account or profile, and the service provider can paythe user at this electronic wallet. The cyber-currency can be adistributed peer-to-peer digital currency that can be transferredinstantly and securely between any two users.

The cyber-currency can be regulated by cryptographic methods whichmanage and control the currency. For example, the cyber-currency canhave a public key and a private key. The public key can be seen byothers to verify the quantity of the currency at the specific address.The currency at the address can only be transferred to a third party bydisclosing the private key. The private key can be a secret number thatallows the cryptocurrency to be spent. Every cyber-currency address hasa matching private key, which can be saved in the wallet file of theuser who owns the balance. The private key can be mathematically relatedto the cryptocurrency address, and is designed so that thecryptocurrency address can be calculated from the private key. However,the same cannot be done in reverse. Private keys must be kept securely,for they authorize the release of cyber currencies at a specificaddress. Private keys can be kept on computer files (i.e., digitalwallet), but they are also short enough that they can be printed onpaper.

Private keys can also be kept on a virtual wallet, which can store auser's cyber currencies on a secure server where the cryptocurrenciescan be accessed. Virtual wallets facilitate cyber-currency transactions.Virtual wallets also reduce the amount of risk in storing thecyber-currency because most virtual wallets store all or part of theuser's cyber-currency balance on a server and the user's account ispassword protected or protected with two factor authentication.

In one embodiment, the supply of the cyber-currency tokens can be fixedafter the service provider issues the cyber-currency tokens. Forexample, the service provider can issue and release all of thecyber-currency tokens at the same time. In another embodiment, thesupply of the cyber-currency tokens can increase over time, but theultimate number of the cyber-currency tokens in circulation can befixed. For example, the service provider can issue new cyber-currencytokens until the supply of the tokens has reached its upper limit. Inyet another embodiment, the supply of cyber-currency tokens can increaseovertime without ever reaching a limiting number. This increase in thesupply of the tokens can occur at an increasing rate or a decreasingrate.

There can be various techniques for paying a user for human generatedelectricity. In an example embodiment, the user is paid a fixed unit ofa cryptocurrency for every kWh of electricity produced by the user. Forexample, the user can be paid 1.00 token of a service provider issuedcryptocurrency for every kWh of electricity produced by the user. Thecyber-currency can be exchanged in the market for other goods andservices, and the market supply and demand can determine the relativevalue of the cyber-currency.

In another example embodiment, a service provider can set a rate forevery kWh of electricity produced by the user. The service provider candetermine this rate based on various factors including the supply anddemand for human generated electricity, and thus, the rate can fluctuateover time. For example, a service provider can decide to compensate auser 0.75 token of a cryptocurrency for every kWh of electricityproduced by the user. However, if the demand for human generatedelectricity increases in the market, the service provider can pay 1.00token of the cryptocurrency for every kWh of electricity. This increasein price can encourage the users to produce more electricity and meetsthe market demand.

Various companies can request human generated electricity, e.g., topromote a healthy society. In an example embodiment, the serviceprovider can issue certificates for each kWh of human generatedelectricity and the service provider can sell the certificates to thesecompanies. These companies can purchase the certificates to bolstertheir mission of promoting a healthy society. For example, the serviceprovider can require the companies to pay for the certificates using theservice provider issued cryptocurrency. By requiring the companies topay for the certificates using the cryptocurrency, the service providercan create a market for the cryptocurrency. In this market, theproducers of human generated electricity (i.e., the users of theapplication) receive and supply the cryptocurrency and the companiesdemand the cyber-currency. Therefore, the market can determine a pricefor the tokens of the cyber-currency. As another example, the serviceprovider can require a payment for the certificates in US Dollars.Because gyms that implement the generators save in their electricitybill, the service provider can also require the gyms to share part ofthe savings with the service provider.

There are several techniques for the service provider to determine howmuch electricity a user has produced. In one embodiment, based on thesignals that the application receives from the generator, e.g., rotationrate or resistance, the application can determine how much electricityhas been produced during the workout of the user. The application cancommunicate a message to the service provider indicating the amount ofelectricity that has been produced by the user. Based on this amount,the service provider can determine a payment to the user. The serviceprovider can also initiate the payment, and the application can displaythe payment in the user interface, e.g., transaction history 1104.

In a second embodiment, the generator can be in communication with aserver of the service provider. This connection can be a directconnection, e.g., Wi-Fi connection through the Internet, or it can be anindirect connection, e.g., the generator can be in contact with a powermanagement system which communicates with the server. The generator orthe power management system can transmit a signal to the serverindicating the amount of electricity that was produced during the user'sworkout. Subsequently, the server can determine the user's reward forthe workout, and the service provider can initiate a payment to theuser. In this embodiment, the application can optionally transmit thegenerator's identification number to the server so that the server candetermine which user is using the generator. It is also possible thatthe generator can transmit the user's identification number to theservice provider. The generator can receive the user's identificationnumber at the time of pairing.

In a third embodiment, the application can determine the user's payment.In this embodiment, the service provider can transmit a price to theapplication of the user. Based on electricity generation informationreceived from the generator and the price, the application can determinehow much money is owed to the user. The application can transmit arequest to the server of the service provider and the service providercan initiate a payment to the user.

Several techniques for rewarding a user for electricity production weredescribed. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that thesetechniques can be combined to create other techniques.

FIG. 11 shows a balance page 1101 displayed on the user interface 401 ofthe application according to an example embodiment. The balance page1101 can include an account balance section 1102, which can display acyber-currency balance for the user. In this embodiment, the user hasaccumulated the balance as a result of the user's workout. This balancecan be stored in a virtual wallet or it can be stored on the user'ssmart device. The account balance section 1102 can also include aconventional currency balance e.g., US Dollar (“USD”) balance. In someembodiments, the user can be paid in USDs for the user's electricityproduction. In other embodiments, this balance can be accumulatedbecause the user has traded some of the user's cyber-currency tokens forUSDs.

The balance page 1101 can include an exchange USD button 1103. Thisbutton can facilitate a cyber or conventional currency exchange. Usingthis button, the user can contact the service provider or other partiesto exchange the user's balance in one account, e.g., the cyber-currencybalance, with another currency, e.g., USD. For example, by pressing thebutton 1103, the application can receive a quote for the outstandingbalance of the cyber-currency displayed in the balance page 1101. Thisquote can be received from the service provider or others. Theapplication can display the quoted price to the user, and if the useragrees, the application can sell the user's cyber-currency tokens andreceive payment for the sale.

The balance page 1101 can also include a transaction history button1104. Using this button, the user can ask the application to display theuser's transactions in the cyber-currency or USD. For example, theapplication can display all the payments that the user received toreward the user for the user's electricity production. The applicationcan also display all the exchanges of the cryptocurrency with othercurrencies.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow process 1200 for rewarding a user for humangenerated electricity according to an example embodiment. In the step1201, a user pairs a smart device with a generator connected to anexercise machine. Then, the user exercises on the exercise machine, andin step 1202, the generator transmits signals to the smart deviceindicating that the generator is producing electricity. For example, thegenerator transmits a rotation rate of the generator. Then, once theuser finishes exercising, in step 1203, the smart device determines thatthe workout is concluded. In step 1204, the smart device contacts theservice provider and informs the service provider how much electricitywas generated by the user. Subsequently, the service provider determineshow much to pay the user for the electricity production, and in step1205, the service provider transmits a message to the applicationindicating a payment. In step 1206, the application displays a balancefor the user's account indicating that the user received the payment forthe workout.

In this disclosure, conventional money, cyber-currency andcryptocurrency are used as examples of valuable items that cancompensate a user for the user's workout. However, disclosure is notlimited to these examples. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizesthat a user can be compensated using other tangible or intangible itemsof value. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art understands thatfor some aspects of this disclosure, cyber-currency and cryptocurrency(or even conventional currency) can be interchangeable.

Technical Implementation of the Sever

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary hardware components a server of a serviceprovider. A computer system 1300, or other computer systems similarlyconfigured, may include and execute one or more subsystem components toperform functions described herein, including the steps of various flowprocesses described above. Likewise, a mobile device, a cell phone, asmartphone, a laptop, a desktop, a notebook, a tablet, a wearabledevice, a server, etc., which includes some of the same components ofthe computer system 1300, may run an application (or software) andperform the steps and functionalities described above. Computer system1300 may connect to a network 1314, e.g., Internet, or other network, toreceive inquires, obtain data, and transmit information and incentivesas described above.

The computer system 1300 typically includes a memory 1302, a secondarystorage device 1304, and a processor 1306. The computer system 1300 mayalso include a plurality of processors 1306 and be configured as aplurality of, e.g., bladed servers, or other known serverconfigurations. The computer system 1300 may also include a networkconnection device 1308, a display device 1310, and an input device 1312.

The memory 1302 may include RAM or similar types of memory, and it maystore one or more applications for execution by processor 1306.Secondary storage device 1304 may include a hard disk drive, floppy diskdrive, CD-ROM drive, or other types of non-volatile data storage.Processor 1306 executes the application(s), such as those describedherein, which are stored in memory 1302 or secondary storage 1304, orreceived from the Internet or other network 1314. The processing byprocessor 1306 may be implemented in software, such as software modules,for execution by computers or other machines. These applicationspreferably include instructions executable to perform the system andsubsystem component functions and methods described above andillustrated in the FIGS. herein. The applications preferably providegraphical user interfaces (GUIs) through which users may view andinteract with subsystem components.

The computer system 1300 may store one or more database structures inthe secondary storage 1304, for example, for storing and maintaining theinformation necessary to perform the above-described functions.Alternatively, such information may be in storage devices separate fromthese components.

Also, as noted, processor 1306 may execute one or more softwareapplications to provide the functions described in this specification,specifically to execute and perform the steps and functions in theprocess flows described above. Such processes may be implemented insoftware, such as software modules, for execution by computers or othermachines. The GUIs may be formatted, for example, as web pages inHyperText Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML) or inany other suitable form for presentation on a display device dependingupon applications used by users to interact with the computer system1300.

The input device 1312 may include any device for entering informationinto the computer system 1300, such as a touch-screen, keyboard, mouse,cursor-control device, microphone, digital camera, video recorder orcamcorder. The input and output device 1312 may be used to enterinformation into GUIs during performance of the methods described above.The display device 1310 may include any type of device for presentingvisual information such as, for example, a computer monitor orflat-screen display (or mobile device screen). The display device 1310may display the GUIs and/or output from subsystem components (orsoftware).

Examples of the computer system 1300 include dedicated server computers,such as bladed servers, personal computers, laptop computers, notebookcomputers, palm top computers, network computers, mobile devices, or anyprocessor-controlled device capable of executing a web browser or othertype of application for interacting with the system.

Although only one computer system 1300 is shown in detail, system 1300may use multiple computer systems or servers as necessary or desired tosupport the users and may also use back-up or redundant servers toprevent network downtime in the event of a failure of a particularserver. In addition, although computer system 1300 is depicted withvarious components, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thesystem can contain additional or different components. In addition,although aspects of an implementation consistent with the above aredescribed as being stored in a memory, one skilled in the art willappreciate that these aspects can also be stored on or read from othertypes of computer program products or computer-readable media, such assecondary storage devices, including hard disks, floppy disks, orCD-ROM; or other forms of RAM or ROM. The computer-readable media mayinclude instructions for controlling the computer system 1300, toperform a particular method, such as methods described above.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as may be apparent.Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of thedisclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, may be apparent fromthe foregoing representative descriptions. Such modifications andvariations are intended to fall within the scope of the appendedrepresentative claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only bythe terms of the appended representative claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such representative claims are entitled.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intendedto be limiting.

1. A device comprising: a memory, a processor, a transceiver and adisplay, wherein: the processor is configured to run an applicationstored on the memory of the device; the application has a user interfacewhich is displayed in the display of the device; in response toreceiving a first signal from a generator through the transceiver of thedevice, the application is configured to determine an electricitygeneration rate of the generator, and transmit a second signal to aserver, wherein: the generator is connected to an exercise machine; thegenerator supplies electricity to a power grid when the generatorrotates; the application determines the second signal based on the firstsignal; and the second signal indicates a quantity of electricityproduced by the generator over a period of time; and in response toreceiving a third signal from the server, the application is configuredto display a monetary quantity in the user interface of the application,wherein the third signal is determined based on the second signal. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the application is further configured totransmit a fourth signal to the generator to increase a resistance ofthe generator.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the increase in theresistance of the generator increases a mechanical resistance in theexercise machine.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the application isconfigured to adjust the resistance of the generator based on apredetermined workout plan.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein thepredetermined workout sets a plurality of resistance values for thegenerator over a workout time period.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe application is configured to display a social media platform on thedevice, and in response to receiving the third signal from the server,the application creates a post on the social media platform includingthe monetary quantity.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the socialmedia platform includes at least one group page administered by a gym.8. The device of claim 7, wherein the application can receive input froma user and based on the input, the application can sign up for a classat the gym.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the application candetermine GPS coordinates of the device.
 10. The device of claim 9,wherein the application is further configured to receive an input from auser, and in response to receiving the input, the application isconfigured to display a list of gyms within an indicated distance of theGPS coordinates.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the applicationincludes a selectable option for limiting the list of gyms to gyms thatinclude a plurality of generators coupled to exercise machines.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the generator is paired with the application.13. The device of claim 12, wherein the application is furtherconfigured to be paired with a tracker.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the application is configured to adjust the resistance of thegenerator based on a fifth signal provided by the tracker.
 15. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the monetary quantity indicates acyber-currency balance.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondsignal indicates a total amount of electricity generated by a userduring the user's workout on the exercise machine.
 17. The device ofclaim 16, wherein the application is configured to determine when theuser's workout begins and when the user's workout ends.
 18. The deviceof claim 17, wherein the application is configured to determine when theuser's workout begins based on GPS coordinates of the device.
 19. Thedevice of claim 17, wherein the application is configured to determinewhen the user's workout begins based on a schedule provided on a socialmedia page of a gym.
 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the applicationis configured to determine when the user's workout begins based onreceiving a user input.